John Beilein says Spike Albrecht will likely be in a leadership position for Michigan next season. Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

When Michigan originally received a verbal commitment from Derrick Walton, most believed he'd be the eventual understudy, and then replacement to Trey Burke.

And once Burke's stock soared, most just believed Walton would assume the role as Michigan's starting point guard in 2013.

Burke has in fact left for the NBA, and Walton will have a chance to earn starter's minutes right away next season.

But there's one person who was never a part of the conversation back when the Wolverines were planning all this two years ago.

Spike Albrecht.

"Don't count Spike out," Michigan coach John Beilein said Tuesday during an interview with "The Huge Show." "We love Derrick as well. It's going to be a great, friendly, intense competition to see who runs our team.

"Whoever doesn't will come off our bench."

Walton, and the rest of Michigan's freshmen (Zak Irvin, Mark Donnal and Andrew Dakich) are expected to arrive on campus Saturday to begin summer classes and summer workouts.

When the four-star point guard from Chandler Park Academy arrives, he'll immediately be thrust into a competition with Albrecht to replace Burke, who was arguably the best point guard the school's ever had.

Michigan took Albrecht late in the recruiting period last season, basically as an insurance policy and an occasional five-minute break option for Burke.

But in the end, the sophomore from Crown Point, Ind. turned out to be a relatively decent player -- eventually shocking the entire country with 17 first-half points against Louisville in the national championship game.

Most believe Walton's talent will eventually win the job, but Albrecht will certainly be a valuable piece for the Wolverines next season.

Both on the court, and off it.

"He's going to walk into probably a leadership position with us because everybody listens to him," Beilein said of Albrecht. "I think we'll, like we always have, take a look at everybody. Derrick Walton's got tremendous potential and we've seen what Spike can do."